Mean Green Machine Float

If you plan to design and build a float similar to this Homecoming Float, here is an estimate of the materials you will need:

The float is built on an 8' x 16' farm wagon with the back removed. A similar size trailer, used to move small construction equipment, might be borrowed from a local construction company. The float also might be built on the back of a flat bed truck. Check out our Vehicle Decorating Kits.

A light wooden frame, made of #2 1 x 3 pine surrounds the wagon. The frame extends from the top of the wagon bed to 15" from the ground. You can find wood for the frame at your local lumberyard. A basic frame this size requires approximately 140' of lumber.

Waterproof, flameproof Floral Sheeting is stapled to the frame. This size float requires 16 yards of White Vinyl Floral Sheeting for the sides. The floor requires another 15 yards of white. To calculate how much Floral Sheeting you need for your float, measure the distance around in feet and divide by three to get the yardage. Floral Sheeting is sold in square yards. Floral Sheeting is made of a heavy plastic backing sheet with rows of sewn-on scalloped plastic flower petal shapes. 14" high Metallic Gold Fringe is stapled to the bottom of the frame where the Floral Sheeting stops. Fringe is available in 10' length packages. This size float requires five, 10' packages of Metallic Gold Fringe.

Dark Green Vinyl Festooning outlines the sides of the float. Festooning is available in 48' long rolls. This size float requires three, 48' rolls of Dark Green Vinyl Festooning. The Floral Sheeting, the Festooning and the Fringe are all made of the same plastic material (waterproof, fade-proof and flameproof) and reusable for another float at another time. Order Floral Sheeting, Festooning and Fringe right here from Stumps.

The Styrofoam letters or numbers are 8" high, and can be ordered right here from Stumps. You can paint them with inexpensive interior latex paint or leave them white. Be sure to add another board, such as plywood, to your frame under the Floral Sheeting. Just use small nails to fasten the letters to the board. As an alternative, hot glue the letters to the Floral Sheeting.

The Mean Green Machine design is 12' long, 8' high and 1' thick. It requires approximately 160' of #2 1 x 3 pine to make the frame. The wood frame is covered with chicken wire, which has 1" openings. This design requires approximately 150' of 18" chicken wire with 1" openings. You can find the wood for the frame at your local lumberyard and the chicken wire from a farm supply store. This design requires approximately 50 packages of White POMPS Tissue Squares and 26 packages of Holly Green POMPS. Be sure to use POMPS Paste, also available from Stumps, to keep the Tissue Squares from blowing away in the wind. Instructions for use are on the can. The paste cleans up with warm water. You will need four, 1 pint cans of Tissue Paste.